Zhao Xintong Defeats Idol Ding Junhui at World Snooker Championship
Chinese world No 4 beats fellow countryman 13-9 to set up quarter-final clash with Shaun Murphy
En resumen
- Zhao Xintong defeated his idol Ding Junhui 13-9 at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield, knocking out the defending champion.
- The world No 4 recovered after Ding pulled to within one frame at 9-8, winning four of the next five frames including a 108 break to seal victory and a quarter-final against Shaun Murphy.
Resumen generado por IA
Por qué importa
Zhao Xintong was looking to become the first first-time winner to retain the world title at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. This was a high-profile all-Chinese match between the current champion and his idol.
Zhao Xintong said he would never surpass the achievements of his idol Ding Junhui in promoting snooker in China after knocking him out of the World Snooker Championship. The defending champion, who was looking to become the first first-time winner to retain the world title at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, beat his compatriot 13-9 on Sunday after Ding had pulled to within one frame at 9-8. But Zhao, the world No 4, quickly snuffed out any danger by taking four of the next five frames, including a break of 108 in the penultimate frame that helped seal a last-eight clash with Shaun Murphy. "I said I wanted to enjoy the match [with Ding] before it started, and not to give myself any pressure, but that was not the reality," Zhao said. "This was a very special match for us that everybody knows about and wants to keep an eye on. It was very different last year when I was a nobody. This year I just don't want to lose any match so it feels very different."
Preguntas abiertas
- Will Zhao Xintong go on to win the championship?
- Can Zhao surpass Ding Junhui's achievements in promoting snooker in China?
